Brownsville TX vs Portland OR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Portland
12.4%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 38.6 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 12.4% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 0.3% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 11.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $538,687 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 52.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.3% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.7% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 78.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.5 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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